How Louisiana lawmakers rank among all members of Congress in terms of the amount of “earmark” spending they added to a $410 billion spending bill approved by the Senate Wednesday night. The figures, from an analysis by Taxpapers for Common Sense, are based on earmarks added by each member alone, or working with other members of the House or Senate:
SENATE:
— Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., ranks No. 3 in the Senate, credited with $332.1 million worth of earmarks.
— Sen. David Vitter, R-La., ranks No. 5, credited with $249.1 million.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
— Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, ranks No. 2 in the House, credited with $120 million.
— Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, Ranks No. 50, with $33.5 million.
— Former Rep. Jim McCrery, R-Shreveport, ranks No. 113, with $21.4 million.
— Rep. Charles Boustan, R-Lafayette, ranks No. 137 with $18.7 million.
— Former Rep. Donald Cazayoux, D-Baton Rouge, ranks No. 156 with $15.9 million.
— Former Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, ranks No. 255, credited with $9.2 million.
— Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, ranks No. 387, credited with $1.7 million
NOTE: The bill was written mostly over the course of last year, which is why three former members figure in the rankings.
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